Left to Right: Mariah Emory, Abigail Emory, Judah Emory, Melanie Emory, Philip Emory, Hannah Emory, Elisabeth Emory
The Emorys - Biography
The Emorys are an award-winning family Appalachian bluegrass and gospel group whose music blends tight family harmonies, acoustic authenticity, and heartfelt storytelling rooted in faith and tradition. Raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina, they grew up surrounded by the sounds that shaped generations — hymns ringing through small country churches, front‑porch picking sessions, and the timeless spirit of mountain music. These influences form the foundation of their sound today: sincere, uplifting, and deeply connected to the heritage of the region.
Their new album, Take Me Back, showcases the full breadth of their artistry across 13 tracks that celebrate both driving bluegrass energy and gospel‑centered narratives. Songs written by the group’s talented team of lyricists: Melanie, Elisabeth, Hannah, Mariah, Abigail Emory and David Fowler. These writers bring a blend of testimony, tradition, and personal experience to every lyric, creating songs that feel both deeply rooted and refreshingly sincere.
Music composition for the project is led by Mariah, Hannah, and Elisabeth, whose arrangements weave together driving bluegrass energy, gospel warmth, and the unmistakable Emory family sound. Standout songs such as “Take Me Back,” “Get On Board,” “Saul of Tarsus,” “The Great Exchange,”, “Circuit Ridin’ Preacher,” "The Best That I Can” and “Beneath The Pines” highlight their ability to merge testimony, tradition, and acoustic excellence into a sound that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Band Members & Instruments
- Mariah — Guitar, Mandolin
- Abigail — Bass Guitar
- Elisabeth — Banjo
- Judah — Drums
- Hannah — Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Clawhammer Banjo
Whether performing at festivals, churches, theaters, or community gatherings, The Emorys deliver a warm, family‑centered experience marked by sincerity, encouragement, and a deep love for Appalachian music. With growing momentum across radio and regional venues, they continue to establish themselves as one of the most heartfelt voices in today’s bluegrass and gospel landscape.
The Emorys Journey into Bluegrass
By: Melanie Fowler Emory
September 19, 2026
Philip and I began singing in 1992 with my mother Kay. We traveled the southeast (North & South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Georga and Mississippi) singing Southern Gospel music for seven years. In 2000 I had triplets Elisabeth, Judah & Abigail and in 2004 Hannah. By the time Mariah came along in 2007 the other children were already singing with us. By 2012 we were a solid family gospel group singing in area churches here in Western North Carolina.
As the years passed the children developed their own style. Each one playing various instruments. By the time the oldest learned the banjo, we were enjoying singing Gospel Bluegrass. Over the past 5 years or so, the kids really fine tuned their skill on their various instruments. In late January of 2026, we received a phone call asking if we would mind filling in for a group that had cancelled at Bluegrass First Class Showcase at the Crown Plaza Resort in Asheville, NC, we found out about two or three days prior to the event that we were going to be performing in a Bluegrass Showcase Showdown against four other bands.
I wrote a song or two to add to our growing list of Bluegrass Gospel songs to perform at the event. We were completely blown away when to our shock, we won the showdown.
After that memorable night in February, 2026, we began to write more songs.
I was especially inspired by some of the amazing performers that we got to hear at Bluegrass First Class. In fact, I wrote a song the next morning.
I realized that the songs that tell stories about the mountain people of Appalachia are usually the most haunting and memorable. So, I put my pen to paper and began to write about our family.
Philip’s Great-Granddaddy Burleson, the “Circuit Riding Preacher,” My Papaw Ballinger’s bright conversion in “Get On Board,” and Philip’s Papaw Dillingham who daily prayed out on the hill beside our home “Beneath The Pines.”
Our daughter Hannah, while sitting out on that hill, wrote “The Poor Rich Man,” contemplating the meaning of it all.
Elisabeth after thinking about our Lord’s gift to us at “The Great Exchange” put her pen to paper as well.
The songs on this new album incorporate a piece of all of us. The nostalgia of a simpler time, combined with our deep-rooted love for our Appalachian heritage.
We hope you will enjoy our first Bluegrass Gospel album and that your heart, along with mine, cries “Take Me Back”